when to upgade
when to upgade
ok I havent been riding long,about 2 months,I have a 2003 honda shadow ace 750, I just seemslike I'm looking for a sixth gear and it doesnt have one. I want t get up on the highway to go to work instead of taking the back streets but i just dont fell comfortable just going 55 mph I know the bike will go faster but it feels like I'm giving it alls it got.Should I upgrade to a biger bike or just get more experience on this one?
- jonnythan
- Site Supporter - Platinum
- Posts: 2470
- Joined: Tue Jun 20, 2006 8:08 am
- Sex: Male
- My Motorcycle: Year/Make/Model
Is the engine revving high at 55?
I have a little 535 V-twin and it's perfectly comfortable at 70 on the highway.
Actually, if I'm in 5th at 55, it almost lugs a bit. 5th gear is for sitting in low RPMs at high speeds. Engines don't produce a lot of HP at low RPMs. That could explain why you feel your bike has no power at 55 mph. You should be in a lower gear to accelerate, not a higher gear.
I have a little 535 V-twin and it's perfectly comfortable at 70 on the highway.
Actually, if I'm in 5th at 55, it almost lugs a bit. 5th gear is for sitting in low RPMs at high speeds. Engines don't produce a lot of HP at low RPMs. That could explain why you feel your bike has no power at 55 mph. You should be in a lower gear to accelerate, not a higher gear.
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/jonnythan/sets/]Flickr.[/url]
- RideYourRide
- Elite
- Posts: 222
- Joined: Mon Mar 26, 2007 12:43 pm
- Sex: Male
- Location: seacoast New Hampshire
Re: when to upgade
Let it spin, I doubt it's going to blow up on you or anything. Bikes aren't trucks, the factory does not expect you to ride around at 1500 rpm all the time. Granted the motor in your machine isn't a sport bike motor, but I wouldn't worry about it blowing apart riding at reasonable highway speeds.xseabee wrote:ok I havent been riding long,about 2 months,I have a 2003 honda shadow ace 750, I just seemslike I'm looking for a sixth gear and it doesnt have one. I want t get up on the highway to go to work instead of taking the back streets but i just dont fell comfortable just going 55 mph I know the bike will go faster but it feels like I'm giving it alls it got.Should I upgrade to a biger bike or just get more experience on this one?
Actually...do you ever shift at high rpm? Perhaps you're used to cruising at low rpm and you think the bike is working harder then it really is at 55 or 60 mph. Go out and put some mustard on it, bang it off the limiter a few times if need be and then compare what maximum rpm for that machine sounds like compared to what you are cruising up the highway on. I bet you got more headroom left then you think you do.
[img]http://img512.imageshack.us/img512/1189/newsig2al8.jpg[/img]
98 VFR, 07 200 XC-W, 86 RM125, 88 VTR250 project bike
motorcycle vlogs: http://livevideo.com/rideyourride
98 VFR, 07 200 XC-W, 86 RM125, 88 VTR250 project bike
motorcycle vlogs: http://livevideo.com/rideyourride
- intotherain
- Site Supporter - Gold
- Posts: 947
- Joined: Sun Nov 26, 2006 9:30 am
- Sex: Male
- My Motorcycle: FZ6
Meh its alright. I've been riding highways for about 7 months and my time on the highways arent fun. I duck hardcore and my arms are tucked in. My bike tops out at about 65MPH at 8300/8500 RPM. Now thats with no head wind... I don't think theres anything wrong with my engine from being so close to redline all the time but I take pretty good care of my bike; I give her frequent oil changes and chain washes.
About the new bike, two months isn't too much. When I passed the two month mark I thought I was pretty advanced but now I think about how much of a dam beginner I was. I think I am pretty advanced now but I know in a couple months I will look back and think of my self as a beginner still.
Anyways, two months is better than nothing and if you really want a new bike I'd say go for it. There are people out there who buy R1s and R6s as their first bike with no experience... but atleast you got yourself two months and you are probably much better off than any of them are.
About the new bike, two months isn't too much. When I passed the two month mark I thought I was pretty advanced but now I think about how much of a dam beginner I was. I think I am pretty advanced now but I know in a couple months I will look back and think of my self as a beginner still.
Anyways, two months is better than nothing and if you really want a new bike I'd say go for it. There are people out there who buy R1s and R6s as their first bike with no experience... but atleast you got yourself two months and you are probably much better off than any of them are.
- jonnythan
- Site Supporter - Platinum
- Posts: 2470
- Joined: Tue Jun 20, 2006 8:08 am
- Sex: Male
- My Motorcycle: Year/Make/Model
What kind of bike do you have? Rebel 250 or something?intotherain wrote:Meh its alright. I've been riding highways for about 7 months and my time on the highways arent fun. I duck hardcore and my arms are tucked in. My bike tops out at about 65MPH at 8300/8500 RPM.
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/jonnythan/sets/]Flickr.[/url]